Hajji Alejandro dies at 70

Hajji Alejandro dies at 70

Hajji Alejandro has passed away. He was 70 years old.

His family announced his death in a statement shared by Girlie Rodis, the manager of Alejandro’s daughter Rachel, on Tuesday, April 22.

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Dad and Son, Angelito ‘Hajji’ T. Alejandro,” it read. “At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves this tremendous loss. We appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult time.”

Alejandro battled stage 4 colorectal or colon cancer, his partner Alynna Velasquez said in a March interview with broadcaster Julius Babao.

Velasquez said Alejandro learned about his cancer when he felt bloated and couldn’t breathe or eat at one point. She urged him to visit his doctor. At first, he couldn’t believe the diagnosis, but eventually came to terms with it, though fearful about it.

“He’s just been very strong. You know, bigla lang talaga,” Velasquez said at the time. “Naggo-golf siya, he does everything, he walks, ako nga ‘yung tamad, eh. Healthy eating naman siya and all of a sudden, you know, that happened.”

Alejandro’s operation turned out okay, but he had seizures three days after and had to be rushed to the hospital. Doctors found that infection had spread and he had to be moved to the intensive care unit.

His respirator was removed after a week, according to Velasquez. He was soon able to talk, was moved to a regular room, and was ultimately brought home to undergo therapy.

“And meron lang siyang water, kasi nag-aaral ulit siyang galawin. Kasi, nawalan na siya ng muscles. Talagang wala. He’s incapacitated at one time,” she said. “Pero ang ganda ng memory niya pa rin. Kwento pa rin siya nang kwento about things that we don’t remember anymore.”

Born on Dec. 26, 1954 in Alaminos, Pangasinan, Alejandro rose to fame in the ’70s as part of Circus Band, whose members included Tillie Moreno, Pat Castillo, Jacqui Magno, and Basil Valdez.

He earned the moniker “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala” for his suave appearance, smooth voice, and snappy moves.

Alejandro’s hits include Nakapagtataka, Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan, Panakip-Butas, and Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika.

For Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, considered as Alejandro’s best song, he collaborated with Ryan Cayabyab and joined the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival in 1978. He won the grand prize—a feat that pushed him and Cayabyab to compete in South Korea’s International Seoul Song Festival in the same year. They bagged the Grand Prix prize, while Alejandro was named best singer.

In July 2019, during the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts praised Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika for “[exalting] the emergence of Filipino nationalism in music. It describes in metaphorical language the beautiful experience of discovering the gift of song.”

Later in his career, Alejandro became part of the group OPM Hitmakers, which united solo artists Marco Sison, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuñiga, and the late Rico J. Puno.

In 2021, Alejandro released Dati, his first new song after nearly two decades. Last Feb. 20, or after four years, he released another new song titled Di Ba Puwede.

Alejandro was married twice, first to the mother of Rachel and “sexy chef” Barney, and second to the late Rio Diaz with whom he has a son, singer Ali. His last relationship was with Velasquez. (with reports from Nick Garcia)